(a) The state board, in consultation with the State Department of Public Health, shall contract with an independent contractor to conduct a study to determine the adverse health effects of urban runoff on swimmers at urban beaches. The contract shall include a provision that requires the study to be conducted as prescribed in the study proposal approved by the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project. The study shall be paid for by using available resources or state funds appropriated in the annual Budget Act.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that the state board and the State Department of Public Health use the results of the study undertaken pursuant to subdivision (a) to establish recreational water quality standards.